I've seen several posts that have mentioned "tamers" on flyrods. Was this covered in a Rodmaker article or can someone explain this more clearly? I get the impression that the tamer is located pretty close to the stripper.

Gerry,

After placing all of your guides by what ever method you prefer, the 'tamer' guide is placed 4" above the stripper. It's and 'extra' guide, and it's purpose is to 'tame' the oscillations of the fly line faster, allowing the line to make the turn towards the tip smoother.

An 'expert' caster will see little benefit from one. Since neither myself nor my customers are 'experts', I've found them helpful both with a bit of extra distance and a smoother feel.

It's a debatable principle, however. Up to each whether they are worthwhile or not.

Good Luck!

Buddy

Thanks. I'm not sure what an "expert" caster is, other than people who paid big bucks to demonstrate how easy it is. I can cast as far as I need to, often too far to be able to properly control the line. This is an 8 weight rod with all ceramic guides. It'll be used rarely for bonefish and permit(maybe once every 3-4 years) and will probably be used for steelhead once a year. I may just tape a tamer on it and test it to see if there's any noticable difference.

Gerry,

By all means test it. That's what I did, I just taped a guide in place and took it to the lake. It's what sold me on the concept.

Good Luck!

Buddy

Buddy did you notice a difference, or is it hype ?

Bill,

I definitely noticed a difference. Casting seem smoother, the line would 'shoot' better, and I found that the line 'handled' better. Thing like line slap on the blank and piling on the first guide were reduced noticably in my casting.

I had a couple of guys that I'd call 'expert' casters play with a couple of rods with them installed, and they didn't notice any difference. No benefit OR deficit. When I had a couple of others, more 'novice' casters, try them they liked it and found it helpful.

I any event, I've not had anyone say that the extra 'taming' guide was any kind of a detriment, and some find it helps, myself included. How much of that is subjective I can't say.

Buddy